Discover celebrated Inca wonders, colonial cities, and a rich cultural heritage on an expedition to Machu Picchu and beyond. Journey by rail through the Urubamba Valley. Stay at the only accommodations located just steps from Machu Picchu—the historic Belmond Sanctuary. Overlook the fabled city from the Sun Gate and then explore the agricultural terraces, waterworks, sacred sites, and archaeological remains with local guides. Stay and linger long after most people leave to experience its rarefied atmosphere. Over a perfectly paced week you’ll explore Cusco, capital of the Inca empire, with colonial monuments built atop ancient foundations. Discover the Sacred Valley of the Inca with a National Geographic expert, see a traditional weaving demonstration from a talented National Geographic grantee working to keep her craft alive, enjoy a private musical performance at one of Lima’s oldest homes, and so much more.

SNAPSHOT

• Stay at the historic 31-room Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, just steps from Machu Picchu, to explore the site over two days
• Linger in Machu Picchu long after day-trippers have left as the sun begins to set
• Discover Cusco’s array of cultural influences and explore the Sacred Valley of the Inca with a National Geographic expert
• Explore the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo
• In Lima enjoy a private lunch and musical performance with insights from an ethnomusicologist on the stories and history of the songs

See more details below and use the REGISTER NOW button above to join us.

Peru is a multicultural destination, rich in history and stunning geographically.

This is your chance to

• explore ancient ruins and culture
• meet locals who nurture a direct link to their Inca ancestors
• support and enjoy artisanal crafts
• indulge in the cuisine, perhaps one of the best in the world but least known

and so much more!

Kris Cropsey has taught in the Departments of Romance Languages, Education, and Linguistic Studies at St. Olaf College for the past 20 years, having taught Spanish language and culture, literature, and linguistics for forty years. Her areas of interest and research lie in the Acquisition of Second Languages, Sociolinguistics and innovation in pedagogy. Kris has 4 grown children and lives in Farmington, MN. She has traveled extensively in Latin America and Spain and has led groups of St. Olaf students multiple times to Ecuador, including to the Amazon and the Galápagos Islands, as well as to Costa Rica; and on one occasion she led a semester in Central America for Whitworth College. In 2018 she led the Alumni & Family Travel trip to Chile, Easter Island, & Argentina’s Wine Country. She is passionate about language, culture and travel.

Discover Peru on a perfectly paced expedition that begins at lower altitudes and culminates with an exploration of Cusco once you’ve acclimated. Go with the top team in the region, each of our guides is local and veteran—they know these sites intimately, focusing on the history and far-reaching cultural influence to add to your understanding and appreciation. In addition, a National Geographic writer and historian will spend time with you in the Sacred Valley of the Inca to add extra layers of insight.

This itinerary is subject to change. Travel demands flexibility. We will strive to balance adaptability with remaining on schedule. Please trust that, when it is not possible to follow the plan laid out below, your program leaders will work to find substitutions that retain the quality of this Study Travel program. Various details may be added or changed due to information obtained while making reservations, or perhaps on site, especially because of the weather. BLD indicated included group meals.

Saturday, April 15                      U.S. — Lima, Peru
Upon arrival this evening in Lima, check-in at Belmond Miraflores Park, where we spend two nights. Set on a green promenade overlooking the Pacific in fashionable Miraflores, this much-loved hotel is the perfect base to explore.

Sunday, April 16                         Lima
Explore World Heritage-designated colonial Lima this morning, where we stroll the Plaza Mayor and delight in a private welcome lunch with a special musical presentation at Casa Aliaga, one of the oldest houses in Lima. Then visit the extraordinary Larco Museum, dedicated to pre-Colombia art. Return to our hotel with dinner on your own to sample local fare. (B,L)

Monday, April 17                       Lima — Cusco — Sacred Valley
Board a short scenic flight to Cusco this morning, and continue to Moray—a visually stunning Inca site with dramatic agricultural terraces in the heart of the fabled and fertile Urubamba Valley. After lunch and an opportunity to experience a local market, check-in at Belmond Rio Sagrado, set in verdant gardens with views over the valley. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, April 18                       Sacred Valley
Spend the day exploring the archaeological sites and culture of the Sacred Valley in the company of National Geographic expert Peter Frost, who has lived and worked in Peru for decades. He or a colleague joins us for a talk at our hotel and a visit to the massive Inca stone fortress of Ollantaytambo, set above a thriving Inca community. Lunch is at a working, family-owned hacienda, where we are treated to a show of Peruvian Paso horses, and National Geographic grantee Nilda Callañaupa, founder of El Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco, demonstrates Inca weaving traditions. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, April 19                Sacred Valley — Machu Picchu
Marvel at the dramatic scenery and life along the river en route this morning by train to Machu Picchu, the Inca royal retreat famously introduced to the world by Hiram Bingham in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine. Check-in at the historic 31-room Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, adjacent to the World Heritage site, with the leisure to explore over two days in the company of our hand-picked tour director and local guides. Lunch and dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Thursday, April 20                     Machu Picchu — Cusco
Awaken this morning at Machu Picchu, where options include an early hike to the Sun Gate, the ancient final checkpoint to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. After lunch, return by train and bus to Cusco—the center of the Inca universe and a burgeoning cultural capital. Check-in at the Belmond Hotel Monasterio on Plaza Nazarenas in the heart of Cusco for two nights. Occupying a monastery founded in 1592, our hotel—like much of colonial Cusco—is built atop Inca stones. (B,L,D)

Friday, April 21                            Cusco
Explore the magnificently ornate 17th-century cathedral, sacred Inca Temple of the Sun, and other treasures of Cusco. Visit nearby Sacsayhuamán, where a series of imposing terrace walls, the most impressive yet, command views over the city. Relax, shop, or visit one of Cusco’s many churches and museums this afternoon. Dinner is on your own tonight. (B,L)

Saturday, April 22                      Cusco — Lima — U.S.
After breakfast and a final morning at leisure, say goodbye to the Land of the Inca and fly from Cusco back to Lima, connecting to your individually-booked flights home. (B, L)

Discover Peru on a perfectly paced expedition that begins at lower altitudes and culminates with an exploration of Cusco once you’ve acclimated. Go with the top team in the region, each of our guides is local and veteran—they know these sites intimately, focusing on the history and far-reaching cultural influence to add to your understanding and appreciation. In addition, a National Geographic writer and historian will spend time with you in the Sacred Valley of the Inca to add extra layers of insight.

To fully participate in this program, you should be able to walk up to five miles per day over possibly uneven terrain (e.g. cobblestones or aged sidewalks), climb stairs that may not have handrails, keep pace with an active group of travelers, deal with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing a different culture, and be a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).

COVID INFORMATION

As a condition of participation in this program all attendees must have received a COVID-19 vaccine and received a booster shot at least 2 weeks prior to attending the program. (A 2^nd booster is recommended by the CDC for individuals over 50 years of age.] Because changing conditions may result in additional or different participation restrictions, we will strive to keep you promptly informed of any changes resulting from the ongoing pandemic.

What happens if you develop symptoms or test positive for covid while traveling on the St. Olaf program?

• We will expect everyone to follow the isolation and other protocols of the host country and will provide those to you, to the best of our knowledge, closer to departure, as they may be updated frequently in the next several months
• our itinerary cannot be altered, so if it calls for the group to move to a new city/hotel, we will do so
• group leaders cannot stay back with sick or covid-positive individuals
• the injury and illness coverage provided with your program fee includes covid-related illness

Here is the language from the latest FAQs:

Is there coverage for COVID-19? (new as of 5/1/21)
Yes, participants diagnosed with COVID-19 would have the same coverage as if they had any other illness.

Is there coverage for pandemic quarantine? (new as of 5/1/21)
Yes, if the participant is required to quarantine while on a covered trip due to exposure to, or a confirmed case of a virus/illness due to epidemic/pandemic not requiring hospitalization, the policy would provide up to $5,000 of benefits for food and lodging. If the participant requires hospitalization, the basic emergency medical coverage would apply.

You can read more, including the full FAQ and a Summary document, on our Travel Insurance page.

Inclusions and exclusions vary from program to program. Please read the following details closely.

The program fee is $6,582 per person. Based on double occupancy, it includes a St. Olaf host, Lindblad Expeditions tour escort, local guides, a National Geographic writer and historian for a portion of the program, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the program (including airport transfers for travelers on the recommended group flights), gratuities to group guides, drivers, group meal servers, and tour escort, porterage, and limited medical coverage while overseas. For single occupancy, add $1,490.

Airfare to and from Peru is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the program fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: International Airfare • Airport transfers if you are not on the recommended flights • Any passport and visa fees • Any recommended immunizations or vaccinations • Baggage and trip cancellation insurance • Alcoholic beverages, including at group meals • Laundry • Dry cleaning • Phone charges • Room service or other items of a personal nature • Expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities • Lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on program itinerary.

This schedule is based on payments St. Olaf College must make to program vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the program.

Because of ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, it is possible that a program could be postponed. In such a case, while we will strive to make full refunds when we can, there are certain expenses that may not be refunded to either St. Olaf or the participant.

Deposit due:                      $750 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:       $350 until December 15, 2022. If the deposit is made after December 1, 2022 there is no refund. If you register after December 15, 2022, full payment is due immediately.

Balance due:                      December 16, 2022
Refund if you cancel:       None, unless the program is full and your place can be resold

Cancellations must be in writing.

• Read the Terms and Conditions and Release and Waiver
• Check the Center for Disease Control (CDC) immunization recommendations.
• Take a look at the International Travel section of the U.S. State Department, including Before You Go, Country Information, While Abroad, and Emergencies.
• Re-familiarize yourself with important Resources such as How to Be an Independent Traveler, safety overview, included travel insurance, general health information, and more.
• Hold the dates of April 15–22, 2023, but do not book non-refundable air until we can confirm the program is a go.